If you are a young African working, studying or building something in public health, this is an opportunity worth paying attention to.
The Africa CDC Youth Pre-Conference (YPC) 2026 will bring young Africans together in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, immediately before the 5th International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA 2026). Selected participants under the current call will receive full sponsorship to attend the Youth Pre-Conference and CPHIA 2026.
What Is the Africa CDC Youth Pre-Conference?
The Youth Pre-Conference is an annual platform created by Africa CDC to give young Africans a stronger voice in conversations around public health and health security.
The 2026 edition will take place on 21–22 November 2026 in Addis Ababa, immediately before CPHIA 2026.
Rather than simply attending a conference, participants will have opportunities to exchange ideas, showcase their work, connect with public health leaders and contribute priorities that can feed into the wider CPHIA discussions.
What Will Participants Focus On?
The 2026 programme is built around five key areas:
- Digital Health, Research and Innovation
- Building Africa’s Public Health Workforce
- One Health, Emergency Preparedness and Response
- Local Manufacturing and Health Sovereignty
- Youth Leadership on Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV
These areas reflect Africa CDC’s wider focus on strengthening Africa’s health systems, workforce, innovation and ability to respond to health threats.
Who Can Apply?
The current call is aimed at young Africans aged 18–35 who are active or interested in public health and related fields.
Applicants can include:
- Health professionals
- Students
- Researchers
- Innovators
- Entrepreneurs
- Advocates
- Communicators
- Community leaders
You do not necessarily need to be a medical professional. The programme is designed to bring together people contributing to public health through different areas of expertise and experience.
What Does the Sponsorship Cover?
This is one of the strongest parts of the opportunity.
According to the current official CPHIA FAQ, selected participants under the Youth Pre-Conference call will receive full sponsorship to attend YPC 2026 and CPHIA 2026, subject to the conditions communicated through the selection process.
Applicants should wait for official confirmation of sponsorship before making travel or accommodation arrangements. The CPHIA team specifically advises participants not to assume that travel or accommodation is covered unless they receive written confirmation of sponsored participation.
Why This Opportunity Stands Out
The value here goes beyond attending an international event.
YPC 2026 is intended to put young Africans closer to the people and institutions shaping the continent’s public health agenda.
Participants will have opportunities to:
- Connect with public health professionals and policymakers
- Present or showcase youth-led ideas and solutions
- Build relationships with researchers and other young leaders
- Contribute to recommendations for CPHIA 2026
- Explore opportunities across public health, research, digital health, innovation and policy
Africa CDC also intends for the programme to strengthen longer-term pathways for young Africans to participate in health workforce development, disease preparedness, innovation, local manufacturing and community leadership.
Important Details
Opportunity: Africa CDC Youth Pre-Conference 2026
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Youth Pre-Conference: 21–22 November 2026
Main CPHIA conference: 23–27 November 2026
Age: 18–35
Eligibility: Young Africans from African Union Member States
Sponsorship: Full sponsorship for selected YPC participants
Application deadline: 13 September 2026 at 17:00 EAT
You may also be interested in:
- AU–EU Youth Action Lab 2026: Up to €42,000 Available for Youth-Led Organisations
- Climate Change Internship in Tanzania 2026 | Unlock Hands-On Environmental Experience
How to Apply
Applicants should use the official Africa CDC Youth Pre-Conference application process and carefully review the current requirements before submitting.
TheOpHub Tip
Don’t approach this application as though you are simply applying for a sponsored trip.
Think about what you can contribute to the conversation.
Whether your experience is in research, community work, health advocacy, environmental health, technology, communications, entrepreneurship or another related area, clearly explain the problem you care about, what you have already done and how you hope to contribute to Africa’s public health future.
Final Word
Opportunities to attend major continental events with sponsorship are competitive, but they can also open doors to networks and conversations that are difficult to access otherwise.
For young Africans already interested in public health, health innovation or health policy, the Africa CDC Youth Pre-Conference is one worth considering, particularly because the application deadline is approaching quickly.
If it’s rare, hidden, or slept-on, TheOpHub finds it.